2001 Toyota Highlander Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 9%of 137 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,750miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Toyota Highlander, 9% of the 137 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,750 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was backing out of the garage when the car accelerated. I kept hitting the brake and it finally stopped. I put the car back into drive and it accelerated again. I tried hitting the brake and it wouldn't stop until it hit the garage door. I don't know how fast it was going, but it seemed like it was going at an excessive speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10452362, filed 2012-03, 56,600 miles“As my wife was slowing the vehicle to a stop in a parking lot, the vehicle seemed to experience an acceleration on its own. She felt as if the accelerator got stuck so she immediately pressed brake with her left foot and accelerator with the right foot in an effort to 'release' the accelerator pedal. This was a reflex move on her part because it happened so fast. The vehicle hopped over the parking lot curb, landed on the grass and came to a stop. I was standing 50 feet from the car when this happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #10466716, filed 2012-07, 151,000 miles“On wed, 4 sep 2013 at approximately 12:00, I parked my car in the driveway and got out of the car to pick up mail. After picking up the mail, I returned to the car and leaned over the car to retrieve my purse from the passenger seat when my SUV started rolling backwards. My car which was on an incline in my driveway kept rolling backwards. I fell on my back on the concrete driveway and the front tire of my car rolled over my left thigh. The car rolled back and stopped in the middle of the street. My neighbor across the street called 911.”
NHTSA complaint #10545602, filed 2013-09, 160,000 miles“I bought my 2001 Toyota Highlander in august 2001..........at 15 months/50,000 miles my transmission started leaking and when it started slipping Toyota rapidly replaced my transmission. A leak was determined within weeks of the replacement and the torque converter seal (tcs) had to be replaced. Upon replacing the tcs the drive shaft was found to be damaged and had to be replaced. Has the Highlander required transmission replacements?”
NHTSA complaint #10011054, filed 2003-03, 50,000 miles“I own a 2001 Toyota Highlander, 85000 miles. 3 weeks ago the transmission failed. I called the Toyota dealership and was told they could not help me. I had a transmission shop rebuild the transmission and when taking it apart, they found 4 planetary gears that had sustained random breaking and chipping. This appears to be a quality issue. I have reported this to Toyota at corporate and dealership levels and requested I be informed of any secret warranties that exist to cover this expense. I have not yet received a response.”
NHTSA complaint #10163031, filed 2006-07, 84,900 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
- 10016636Aug 1, 2005U140f transmission solenoid identification.
- 10015657Apr 28, 2005Repair manual correction - differential carrier assy rear (4wd). 00400-rm918-u2. *tt 00400-rm837-u2.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 20 | 11% |
| 2022 | 55 | 21% |
| 2021 | 228 | 43% |
| 2020 | 126 | 39% |
| 2019 | 214 | 42% |
| 2018 | 72 | 26% |
| 2017 | 77 | 28% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 | 9 | 7% |
| 2013 | 11 | 5% |
| 2012 | 7 | 4% |
| 2011 | 16 | 9% |
| 2010 | 6 | 3% |
| 2009 | 7 | 5% |
| 2008 | 18 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 6% |
| 2006 | 22 | 8% |
| 2005 | 51 | 23% |
| 2004 | 58 | 20% |
| 2003 | 13 | 5% |
| 2002 | 14 | 5% |
| 2001 | 13 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2001 Toyota Highlander
26 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsTires
9 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Toyota Highlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology